Shaded Steps

Common name:Blue Lavandin, Provence Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula X intermedia 'Provence'

'Provence' has true lavender-colored flowers that are fragrant and excellent for cutting. It flowers in early June and has large, grey-green leaves. It reaches 2' tall.

Common name:Blue Star Creeper
Botanical name:Pratia pedunculata

Pratia pedunculata has bright green, nearly stemless, 1/4" leaves. In late spring and summer, tiny, star-shaped pale blue flowers appear on the tightly woven green "mat" of foliage. It prefers rich, well draining soil in full to part shade.

Common name:Border or Garden Penstemon
Botanical name:Penstemon hybrids selection

This perennial plant will reach 3' high and has medium-sized, glossy dark green leaves with red, pink, lavender or purple flowers that bloom in summer and fall. It needs a bit extra water in the summer and no water in the winter. Hummingbirds love the flowers. This plant is great for cut flowers and color borders.

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

Integrated Pest Management:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.